The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the opening of the Business Recovery Center (BRC) in Pinellas County on Sept. 18, to help businesses impacted for disaster relief for Hurricane Irma. SBA representatives at the Center can provide information about disaster loans, answer questions and assist businesses in completing the SBA application. The Pinellas County Business Recovery Center will operate within the offices of Pinellas County Economic Development.
Pinellas County Business Recovery Center The EpiCenter – Pinellas County Economic Development 13805 58th Street North, Suite 1-200 Largo, Florida 33760 Opens: Monday, September 18 at 9:00 a.m. Hours: Monday – Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
“The Pinellas County Business Recovery Center at Pinellas County Economic Development will assist our local companies in their recovery from Hurricane Irma,” said Suzanne Christman, Senior Business Development Manager at Pinellas County Economic Development. “By deploying our staff and hosting the team from the U.S. Small Business Administration, we hope to create an efficient and effective one-stop operation for local businesses to get the assistance they need to recover from the storm.” The SBA offers low-interest, long-term disaster loans for physical damage and working capital. To be considered for this assistance, business owners need to apply by the deadline. The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Nov. 9, 2017. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 11, 2018. Additional information on the disaster loan program may be obtained by calling SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955, (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an email to [email protected]. Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
Pinellas County Economic Development is open to assist Pinellas companies with their recovery. Please visit PCED.org/Irma for updates and business recovery resources.
- Pinellas County companies requiring assistance with Florida Disaster Bridge Loans, please phone (727) 453-7200.
- Pinellas County companies needing assistance with other items, please phone our main line at (727) 464-7332.
- REPORT DAMAGE TO YOUR BUSINESS from Hurricane Irma. This is the primary portal for private sector damage assessments and recovery. The information provided in this survey will be shared among various state and local agencies to expedite implementation of appropriate disaster relief programs for businesses. Shortcut: PCED.org/damage
- APPLY FOR A SBA DISASTER LOAN. Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration are available to individuals, businesses and nonprofit organizations. The loans can be used for loss and damages not fully covered by insurance. Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA’s secure website. The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Nov. 9, 2017. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 11, 2018. Shortcut: PCED.org/SBALoan
- APPLY FOR A SHORT-TERM FLORIDA DISASTER BUSINESS BRIDGE LOAN. The Bridge Loan provides short-term funding until an SBA Loan or insurance reimbursement arrives. The purpose of the Emergency Bridge Loan Program is to provide a source of expedient cash flow to Florida small businesses impacted by a disaster. These short-term, interest-free working capital loans are intended to “bridge the gap” between the time a major catastrophe hits and when a business has secured longer term recovery resources, such as sufficient profits from a revived business, receipt of payments on insurance claims or federal disaster assistance. Shortcut: PCED.org/bridge